United States Eventing Association

The 2016 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) are less than 100 days away, and moving to their exciting new home at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, North Carolina on September 1-4. AEC brings together eventers of all levels from across the country to compete for national titles, a piece of the cash purse and more incredible prizes than they can carry.

Thanks to the many devoted sponsors, thus far the USEA and TIEC have accrued over $100,000 in prize money to be awarded across all 15 divisions at the AEC. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of dollars in products will be distributed to first through sixth place finishers including; saddles, bridles, helmets, body protectors, boots, blankets, saddle pads, horse feed, supplements, magazines, therapeutic products, saddle pads, custom paintings, stall plaques, gift certificates and much more – all provided by our generous sponsors.

Prizes on prizes on prizes. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

For the third consecutive year, the Adult Team Championships (ATC) will return to the AEC, providing cash and prizes for them in a large and exciting environment. Each of the ten areas may have up to eight teams of four riders from their Area at the USEA ATC, and will compete in the level they qualify. The ATC offers Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels. All teams should be coordinated through the Area Adult Rider Coordinator(s) and mixed teams are also allowed and encouraged. To read more about the ATC and how to qualify, click here.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Championship will take place once again at the AEC, boasting at least a $40,000 purse for the Advanced division. Riders will have to qualify at one of the eleven designated Gold Cup competitions in order to be eligible for the Championship prize. The Advanced division is also designated as the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship, in which the highest placed U.S. citizen will receive the prestigious Jack Le Goff Trophy.

2015 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion, Jacob Fletcher. Shannon Brinkman Photo.

Other awards distributed at the AEC include the Thoroughbred Incentive Program Awards, Captain Mark Phillips Pony Rider Awards, Omega Alpha Optimum Time Award, Charles Owen Technical Merit Award, Point Two Safe Rider Award, Presidents’ Trophy in Honor of Jo Whitehouse, Broadstone Trophy, Broadus Trophy, Gobi Trophy, Edward Harris Memorial Trophy, Sally O’Connor Trophy, Erin’s Shamrock Trophy, Overlook Farm Eventing Trophy, Western DeBroke Trophy, Fork Stables Trophy, Lloyd Trophy, Eastern DeBroke Trophy, Rebecca Farm Trophy, Col. Paul M. Wimert Trophy, A. Martin Simensen Trophy, Maui Jim Young Rider Trophy, The Adult Pony Rider Award in Honor of Avery Dudasch, and the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Trophy.

The opening date for entries this year is July 19th, with a closing date of August 16th. Horses and riders must be registered USEA members (including BN) at the time of gaining qualifications, as well as during the USEA AEC competition. Horses and riders, not necessarily as a combination, must be qualified for the level in accordance with Appendix 3 of the USEF Rules for Eventing and achieve the Qualifying Result(s) at the level to be entered. The qualification period for Beginner Novice through Intermediate is June 1, 2015 to August 22, 2016.

You won’t want to miss this year’s AEC, so go get qualified! Click here to learn about the qualifications.

AEC: 100 Days | Qualified Rider List | Qualified Horse List | AEC Web Page

Open Date: July 19 | Close Date: August 16